Political Parties Chapter Nine

Role of Political Parties in a Democracy What is a political party? a group organized to nominate candidates and try to win political power through elections. Parties also promote ideas about public policies. Put simply, a political party is a group organized to nominate candidates and try to win political power through elections. Parties also promote ideas about public policies. Political parties ensure that the people rule because they only gain power when majorities vote for them, and majority rule is the key to popular sovereignty. Parties keep officials responsive because competitive party elections provide an opportunity for voters to choose between alternative policy directions for the future. Parties stimulate interest in politics by expanding the scope of conflict. Their competition to win power in government mobilizes voters and brings issues to the public’s attention. In a large and complicated government, it can sometimes be hard to pinpoint responsibility. Parties allow for collective responsibility, giving voters the opportunity to retain or throw out the incumbent party. Learning about issues is time-consuming for voters. Party labels and positions act as useful shortcuts to enable voters to cut through complexities and reach voting decisions more quickly. Checks and balances and separation of powers can pit branches of government against one another. Common party membership can encourage cooperation among elected officials. Do American political parties fulfill any of these responsibilities to democracy?

Why are parties essential to democracy? Keep elected officials responsive Stimulate political interest Ensure accountability Help people make sense of complexity in politics Make government work

The Two-party System Most nations have either one-party systems or multiparty systems. Most Western democracies have multiparty systems. Two parties have dominated the political scene in the United States since 1836. Democrats and Republicans have controlled the presidency and Congress since 1860.

Why a Two-Party System? Single Member District/Winner-take-all First past the post Incentives v. disincentives for small parties Most democracies have proportional representation There are several reasons for the United States having only has two major parties. First, America’s electoral rules favor having only two parties. Most democratic nations use some form of proportional representation. That is, seats are apportioned in the legislature based on the percentage of the vote won by each party. In such a system, even small parties can gain seats and perhaps a place in the governing coalition. In contrast, U.S. elections are organized on a winner-take-all basis. The candidate who receives a plurality of the vote—not necessarily a majority—gets the seat. This type of system is known as single-member district plurality, or SMDP for short. It is also sometimes called a “first past the post” system because it’s like a horse race. Small parties have no incentive to form in an SMDP system because they’re unlikely to win and get nothing if they lose. In a proportional representation system, the executive function is usually lodged in a cabinet, in which several parties may be represented, rather than in a single, winner-take-all executive like the U.S. president.

Why a Two-Party System? Cont… Restrictions on minor parties Ballot access requirements differ by state Signatures required to get on ballot 5% minimum for federal funding Not reimbursed until after election The two major parties have seen to it that electoral rules make it difficult for third party candidates to get on the ballot. These rules differ by state, making ballot access expensive and complicated for minor parties. Most states require a minimum number of signatures to get on the ballot, and federal funding of presidential campaigns is given only to parties that received at least 5% of the vote in the previous general election. Also, qualifying parties aren’t given the money up front; it’s reimbursed after the election, which is tough on small parties of limited means.

The Place of Minor Parties in the Two-party System Minor parties have played a less-important role in the United States than in virtually any other democratic nation. In our entire history, only the Republican party has managed to replace one of the major parties.

Minor (or Third) Parties p.1 Types of minor parties Protest parties ex. Green Party Ideological parties ex. Libertarian

Minor (or Third) Parties p.2 Single-issue parties Prohibition party Perot’s “balanced budget” party in 1996 Splinter parties Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose party split with Republican party in 1912

The role of minor parties Minor parties may articulate and popularize new ideas that are eventually taken over by one or both major parties. Minor parties may allow people with grievances to express themselves in a way that is not possible within the major parties. Because minor parties are not likely to win national elections, they are usually not as cautious as the major parties.

How do Parties Help Democracy? #1 Individual Voter Low cost information and easy voting cue Stimulate Political Interest Include a broad range of groups Help people make sense of complexity in politics

How do Parties Help Democracy? #2 Political Candidates/Elites Trying to get into office= financial support Depend on a certain level of support in the electorate because of party Recruitment Organizational support: phone lists, signs, polls watchers Training ground for future office holders/groom future candidates

How do Parties Help Democracy? #3 American Political System Make government work Cooperation: parties are way for all levels of government to coordinate their efforts Stability: change in power, still stable transfer of power Run elections Keep elected officials responsible   

How do Parties Help Democracy? #4 Set the policy agenda=synthesizing interest. Opposition, a party to point out the weakness of the dominant party. A built-in check Ensure accountability Allow for the political expression of different factions and interests in society. Don’t see the need for more radical forms of political action because parties are open.

How Parties are anti-Democratic Parties, even though they CAN perform important functions, they don’t always do so. Parties can abuse their power Dictating what governments should do. “Machines” acting like an elected dictatorship Stressing the Issue: Do not choose to develop new issues Dividing society

How Parties are anti-Democratic p. 2 Confusing Responsibility May blame their opponents for things their opponents did not do, or take credit for good things that they themselves had nothing to do with Recruiting hacks and celebrities who are completely unqualified= due to the increased role of media in elections Oversimplifying the electoral system. Leave voters disenchanted because there is little choice.